COMMUNITIES

Local First . . . Local Economy . . . Local Foods . . . Local Energy.
Today in the places where we live and work there is a resurgence of interest for things local. Increasingly, community members want revitalized downtowns with thriving local businesses and local food options like farmer’s markets, co-ops and farm-to-table restaurants. And people want “homegrown” local energy. This is where MEO comes in with our expertise in driving projects that create greater energy efficiency in buildings and more renewable energy generation like solar.

Following the success of the 2015 CEM pilot, MEO and partner nonprofits will continue to bring our collective energy expertise to bear on issues facing municipalities across the state that often lack the in-house capacity to address. Our 2016 work is also expanding to include a focus on community-based and rooftop solar generation in the Upper Peninsula. MEO and partners will work with stakeholders across the U.P. to increase understanding of energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities. The State of Michigan Energy Office is funding our work, along with our partners: EcoWorks, Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office, SEEDS, Public Sector Consultants, Michigan Municipal League, 5 Lakes Energy and Superior Watershed Partnership.

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL), City of East Lansing, City of Lansing and MEO are partnering to provide BWL electric customers the opportunity to enjoy solar power without having to install panels on their property. Two community solar parks will be developed in locations optimally positioned for solar exposure: one at Burcham Park in East Lansing and another adjacent to the BWL Wise Road Water Treatment Plant in Lansing. Both parks are slated to produce up to 300 kilowatts of renewable energy each, which translates into 1,000 300-watt solar panels at each location.

For decades the City of Lansing and MEO have combined efforts to bring energy efficiency and homeowner education to Lansing’s households in need. This program includes the direct installation of energy products that help make homes more comfortable to live in and reduces energy bills.

The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is dedicated to breaking the link between unhealthy housing and unhealthy children. GHHI replaces stand-alone housing intervention programs with an integrated, whole-house approach that produces sustainable green, healthy and safe homes. As a result, we are improving health, economic and social outcomes for families across the country. In 2014, Lansing became one of 40 current locations across the country. Lansing’s GHHI is a pilot and will address a modest number of homes in 2015 with the intention of growing the program from there.

This pilot includes many partners, a few of which are: the City of Lansing, Public Sector Consultants, the Michigan Department of Community Health, Sparrow Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is one of several local energy solutions that MEO and partners are bringing to communities across the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Often building owners and communities want to make energy efficiency improvements but lack local enabling policies or financial options. PACE is a financing mechanism that is gaining traction throughout the state and in 2015 MEO and partners are helping to make this happen in more places. We are also helping communities to adopt model local policies that enable clean energy advancements, such as rooftop and community solar. MEO’s partners in this project are The Ecology Center, Michigan Land Use Institute and West Michigan Environmental Action Council. This work is funded through RE-AMP, a network of nonprofits and foundations across the Midwest.

MEO provides pre- and post-construction HERS certifications on abandoned, tax-seized and foreclosed properties that the Ingham County Land Bank rehabilitates for sale to the public. Our assessments of these property help to ensure these houses will be energy efficient and healthy for their new owners.

The City of Lansing’s Live Green Lansing promotes the adoption of green technologies and green practices throughout the region’s communities, businesses and schools. Currently the initiative is focusing on policies and programs in the areas of Buildings and Energy, Local Food, Transportation, Trees and Green Space and Waste and Water. MEO’s Executive Director John Kinch serves on the Live Green Lansing Steering Committee. Kinch also is the Vice Chair of the City of East Lansing’s Commission on the Environment.